SCHD vs. MOAT

Last updated Jul 21, 2026

SCHD (Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF) and MOAT (VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SCHD is a Dividend fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index, while MOAT is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Morningstar Wide Moat Focus Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SCHD returned 12.32%/yr vs 13.39%/yr for MOAT. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SCHD charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.47%/yr for MOAT.

Performance

SCHD vs. MOAT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) and VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (MOAT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SCHD achieves a 21.36% return, which is significantly higher than MOAT's 2.49% return. Over the past 10 years, SCHD has underperformed MOAT with an annualized return of 12.32%, while MOAT has yielded a comparatively higher 13.39% annualized return.

SCHD

• 1D: -0.49%
• 1M: 3.61%
• 6M: 15.19%
• YTD: 21.36%
• 1Y: 25.66%
• 3Y*: 13.54%
• 5Y*: 9.15%
• 10Y*: 12.32%
• ALL TIME*: 13.25%

MOAT

• 1D: -0.11%
• 1M: 3.94%
• 6M: -0.75%
• YTD: 2.49%
• 1Y: 11.94%
• 3Y*: 10.06%
• 5Y*: 8.54%
• 10Y*: 13.39%
• ALL TIME*: 13.70%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

SCHD vs. MOAT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SCHD Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF	21.36%	4.34%	11.66%	4.54%	-3.26%	29.87%	15.03%	27.29%	-5.56%	20.85%
MOAT VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF	2.49%	13.20%	10.73%	31.89%	-13.66%	24.12%	14.84%	34.79%	-1.28%	23.18%

Correlation

The correlation between SCHD and MOAT is 0.56, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.56
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.74
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 25, 2012	0.81

Over the past year, the correlation between SCHD and MOAT has dropped to 0.56 - well below their long-term average of 0.81, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

SCHD vs. MOAT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SCHD	MOAT
Healthcare	20.8%	18.1%
Consumer Defensive	20.6%	18.2%
Energy	14.1%	-
Technology	12.7%	30.8%
Financial Services	9.9%	9.2%
Industrials	7.8%	9.5%
Consumer Cyclical	7.7%	11.1%
Communication Services	6.2%	2.4%
Basic Materials	1.2%	-
Utilities	0.1%	-
Real Estate	-	0.7%

Return for Risk

SCHD vs. MOAT — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

SCHD

SCHD Risk / Return Rank: 91
SCHD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
SCHD Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
SCHD Omega Ratio Rank: 88
SCHD Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
SCHD Martin Ratio Rank: 87

MOAT

MOAT Risk / Return Rank: 29
MOAT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
MOAT Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
MOAT Omega Ratio Rank: 28
MOAT Calmar Ratio Rank: 27
MOAT Martin Ratio Rank: 28

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

SCHD vs. MOAT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) and VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (MOAT). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	SCHD	MOAT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.34	0.86	+1.47
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.63	1.31	+2.32
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.15	+0.26
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.59	0.97	+4.62
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.64	2.86	+10.78

SCHD vs. MOAT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SCHD Sharpe Ratio is 2.34, which is higher than the MOAT Sharpe Ratio of 0.86. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SCHD and MOAT, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

SCHD vs. MOAT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCHD drawdown since its inception was -33.37%, roughly equal to the maximum MOAT drawdown of -33.31%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCHD and MOAT.

Drawdown Indicators

	SCHD	MOAT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.37%	-33.31%	-0.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.61%	-12.43%	+7.82%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.13%	-21.44%	+5.31%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.85%	-23.96%	+7.11%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.37%	-33.31%	-0.06%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.88%	-1.42%	+0.54%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.30%	-3.82%	+0.52%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.89%	4.18%	-2.29%

Volatility

SCHD vs. MOAT - Volatility Comparison

Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) and VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (MOAT) have volatilities of 3.63% and 3.60%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SCHD	MOAT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.63%	3.60%	+0.03%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.97%	10.40%	-2.43%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.05%	13.95%	-2.90%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.37%	18.26%	-3.89%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.71%	18.61%	-1.90%

SCHD vs. MOAT - Expense Ratio Comparison

SCHD has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is lower than MOAT's 0.47% expense ratio.

Dividends

SCHD vs. MOAT - Dividend Comparison

SCHD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.20%, more than MOAT's 1.32% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MOAT VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF	1.32%	1.36%	1.37%	0.86%	1.25%	1.08%	1.46%	1.31%	1.79%	1.07%	1.17%	2.13%
SCHD Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF	3.20%	3.82%	3.64%	3.49%	3.39%	2.78%	3.16%	2.98%	3.06%	2.63%	2.89%	2.97%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SCHD and MOAT in my portfolio?

SCHD and MOAT have a correlation of 0.56, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SCHD or MOAT?

SCHD has higher volatility (3.63%) compared to MOAT (3.60%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCHD dropped -33.37% vs MOAT's -33.31%.

Which ETF is better, SCHD or MOAT?

On 10-year performance, MOAT leads with 13.39% vs 12.32% for SCHD. On fees, SCHD is cheaper at 0.06% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SCHD or MOAT?

Over the 10-year period, MOAT has performed better with a 13.39% return vs 12.32%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SCHD or MOAT?

SCHD is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.47% for MOAT.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SCHD or MOAT?

SCHD has the higher dividend yield at 3.20%, compared with 1.32% for MOAT.

What is the main difference between SCHD and MOAT?

SCHD is categorized as Dividend, while MOAT is Large Cap Blend Equities. SCHD tracks Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index, while MOAT tracks Morningstar Wide Moat Focus Index. They also come from different issuers: Charles Schwab and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.06% for SCHD and 0.47% for MOAT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.34 vs 0.86), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.